Colorado |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2024. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
|
May 31, 1988 Location: Columbus Canyon A park visitor reported a wrecked vehicle in thick vegetation about 500 feet below the road in Columbus Canyon. On reaching the vehicle, park rangers discovered a badly decomposed body believed to be that of D.G., 18, of nearby Glade Park, Colorado. D.G. was last seen at 11 pm on the 21st and was driving the wrecked vehicle. There were no skid marks at the scene and no evidence of alcohol or drug involvement.
On August 16th, the park received a missing person report for R.T., 55, of nearby Grand Junction, Colorado. A search was begun, and R.T.'s body was found in his vehicle 400 feet down in Columbus Canyon. R.T. apparently failed to negotiate a corner while driving in the park on the 13th and plummeted into the canyon. The accident may have been caused by a medical condition. (Hank Schock, CR, COLM, via telefax from Jim Reilly, RAD/RMRO).
On the night of Saturday, November 4th, seven Mesa State College students hiked into a remote area just east of the park. Upon arriving at that location, six of the seven reportedly ingested a hallucinogenic drug known as "moon flower" (morning glory seeds). During the night, three members of the party - D.L., 23, G.B., 18, and P.G., 19 - wandered off individually. G.B. was wearing no clothing at the time he disappeared despite temperatures that hovered around 30 degrees. By 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, the three had not yet returned, and members of the party contacted the Mesa County sheriff's office. A search was immediately initiated by county and park personnel. D.L. walked out of the area on his own and was brought to the county sheriff's office on Sunday evening in an incoherent state. P.G. was found hiding from searchers around 9 p.m. Sunday in an area near the park boundary. Bayliss was located in the same area at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday G.B.; he had also been hiding from searchers. G.B. was admitted to a local hospital with hypothermia, frostbite and neurological problems. (Rick Nolan, Assistant CR, Colorado, via telefax report from Jim Reilly, RAD/RMRO).
Just after 2 p.m. on the 12th, a park ranger headed westbound on the park's main road passed a Ford pickup truck heading in the opposite direction which was being driven in an erratic manner. He turned to catch up with the truck, but by that time the truck's driver had lost control on a sharp right-hand curve and hit the right shoulder of the road. The truck then crossed the roadway and went over a 75-foot cliff. All three of the occupants - M.D., 28, of Roosevelt, Utah, M.K., 26, of Grand Junction, Colorado, and G.M., 39, of Clifton, Colorado - were killed. Many beer cans were found at the scene, and alcohol is suspected as a cause of the accident. (Telephone report from Dick Powell, Safety, RMRO).
Just, prior to the accident which killed the three men on the 12th, a park ranger had observed them acting in a manner that suggested they might be contemplating poaching a Christmas tree and began following them at a distance. At that time, the vehicle was being driven in a normal manner. When a visitor complained that he had almost been run off the road by the truck, however, the ranger picked up his pace and attempted to catch up with the vehicle. By that time, the truck had failed to negotiate a curve and plunged 200 feet into Columbia Canyon. Subsequent blood alcohol checks revealed high levels of alcohol in all three victims - 0.135 in M.D., 0.284 in M.K. and 0.260 in G.M. There have been five traffic-related fatalities within a half-mile section of Rim Rock Drive in the last 18 months, a fact which has prompted local demands for guard rails. A recent Denver Service Center traffic safety study of the road did not indicate that this section was a high risk area, and it is unlikely that guard rails would have changed the outcome in at least two of the accidents, each of which involved high speed. The monument will be reviewing road conditions in the area to determine if any changes are warranted. (CompuServe message from Jon Paynter, Park Ranger, COLM, 1:30 p.m. EST, 12/15).
At 7 a.m. on the morning of the 13th, the body of a 19-year-old male was found in a vehicle at Upper Serpent's trailhead off East Rimrock Drive. The victim had died from a gunshot wound which was apparently self-inflicted. The vehicle was found locked, and there were no tracks in the snow anywhere around it. A suicide note, will and personal effects were found in the car. The local sheriff's office is investigating. (Telephone report from Capt. Tom McDonnell, RAD/RMRO, 3/13/90).
On Saturday, June 16th, E.C., 28, of Grand Junction, Colorado, joined some friends in a campout a mile east of Cold Shivers Point on Rimrock Drive. The group built a fire, cooked hot dogs and drank beer. Around 8:30 on Sunday morning, E.C. was showing his friends how he could jump over the bonfire when he inadvertently landed in the fire, then kept going and fell over the edge of the cliff, landing 100 feet below. Rangers responded and administered first aid, but without success. E.C.'s blood alcohol level was later determined to be .169. (Hank Schock, CR, OOIM, via telephone report from Capt. T.J. McDonnell, RAD/RMRO, 6/18).
On July 18th, the local sheriff's office received a request to attempt to find G.S., 32, of Boise, Idaho and advised the park. G.S.'s vehicle was subsequently located near the Coke Ovens trail. A suicide note was found within, and G.S.'s body was found at a nearby overlook. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. G.S. is thought to have been infected with HIV virus. (John Painter, COLM, via telephone message from RAD/RMRO, 7/20).
Around 7 a.m. on the 15th, the park's chief of maintenance discovered the body of J.A.W., 33, of Grand Junction, Colorado, in her car at Independence Overlook. Indications are that J.A.W. died of carbon monoxide poisoning. She had a history of prior suicide attempts, and was being treated for substance abuse at the time of her death. (Telephone report from RAD/RMRO, 8/15).
On August 17th, a park ranger observed a vehicle speeding and being driven erratically in the monument. By the time he reversed his direction of travel and located the car, it had been parked and the driver had disappeared. A registration check showed that the car belonged to J.A.W., 32, who had recently committed suicide in the park (90-258, August 16, 1990 Morning Report). Further inquiries revealed that the driver was most likely the woman's boyfriend, D.N., 30, of Grand Junction. He was described as being extremely distraught over J.A.W.'s death, possibly suicidal himself, and under treatment for his condition. It was also learned that D.N. was out on parole for a drug conviction. After initial efforts to locate him failed, a search was begun involving park rangers and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office dog team. A ranger using binoculars subsequently discovered D.N. hiding behind a rock. He was extremely upset when located, but offered no resistance. He was turned over to his parole officer and transported to a hospital for treatment. (CompuServe message from 00LM, 8/22).
The body of S.B., 23, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was found in the monument on June 18th by Mesa County sheriff's deputies who were pursuing an investigation of a possible homicide which had occurred outside the park. Shortly thereafter, officers from the Grand Junction police department arrested J.C., 43, who lived at the same address as S.B., and charged him with murder. The FBI has been notified. [Hank Schock, CR, COLM, via telefax from Tom McDonnell, RAD/RMRO, 6/20]
D.W., 35, of Price, Utah, was killed on the afternoon of October 22nd when she lost control of the vehicle she was driving on Rim Rock Drive, went off the road, and plunged over a 140-foot cliff. The vehicle landed on the road below, and the park had to close it for two hours while the vehicle was being removed. Rangers are investigating the possibility that D.W. was operating while under the influence of alcohol. [Jim Taylor, COLM, via telefax from Jim Reilly, RAD/RMRO, 10/23]
A.J.L., 20, of Fruita, Colorado, was killed in a single vehicle, roll-over accident on Rim Rock Drive east of the park's visitor center on the evening of April 2nd. His three companions were slightly injured in the mishap. The vehicle entered a curve at excessive speed, drifted off the pavement onto a soft shoulder, and flipped over into a roadside gully. None of the occupants was wearing a seatbelt, and Lopez was ejected from the vehicle and pinned underneath it. Alcohol impairment is suspected, and laboratory tests are being conducted. A.J.L. was employed in the park last summer as a seasonal laborer. [Telefax from Erny Kuncl, RAD/RMRO, 4/6]
On the night of July 19th, M.N., 22, and a female companion, both of whom were intoxicated, had a vehicle accident in the park in which their car sustained significant damage. Units from the park, BLM and Colorado Highway Patrol (CHP) responded. M.N. was arrested by rangers, handcuffed behind her back and placed in the patrol car. She slid her handcuffed hands under her feet, got into the drivers seat, drove the patrol car into the CHP cruiser, then fled the scene in the NPS vehicle. The CHP unit followed her at speeds up to 50 MPH until she ran into a ditch, causing extensive damage to the park patrol car. M.N. was then arrested by the CHP officer and placed in his patrol car, where she tried to kick out the windows. Because of her violent behavior, she was taken directly to jail without a hospital blood alcohol check. M.N. is now in custody on many charges. No injuries were sustained in the incident except for a minor injury to M.N. which she incurred while doing a voluntary back-flip to prove her sobriety during the field sobriety check. M.N.'s intoxicated companion was the owner of the car. She had asked M.N. to drive because she believed that M.N. was soberer than she was. [Hank Schock, CR, COLM, 7/20]
A crew from a local television station was shooting a story at Independence Monument overlook around noon on April 22nd when they heard loud music coming from a nearby pickup truck. The truck's occupant appeared to be asleep or passed out. After completing their filming, they checked further and found that the man had a bullet hole in his chest. Rangers and Mesa County officers responded. The victim, 17-year-old G.H. of Grand Junction, was found to have died of a gunshot wound to the chest. Although the wound appears to have been self-inflicted, the county sheriff's department is continuing its investigation. [Jim Reilly, RAD/RMRO, 4/25]
On November 11th, the coach and members of a running team from a high school in nearby Fruita, Colorado, parked their vehicles at the park's west entrance and went on a training run. Upon their return, they found that the vehicles had been burglarized and that one had been rolled into a ditch. They called 911, and ranger Bill Row investigated. The runners described a suspect vehicle and its occupants - a tan VW Rabbit with a female driver, three male passengers, and a small child. When a lookout notice for the vehicle was posted, a Fruita officer recognized the driver from her description and advised Row. During the next few hours, Row identified, located and interviewed three of the four suspects, obtained consent for a search of the Rabbit, and seized several items that had reportedly been stolen from the victims. The fourth person was identified, interviewed and arrested on an outstanding warrant the following day. All three of the males were juveniles. All four were cited on various federal and state charges. The total value of items stolen or damaged has been placed at over $2,300. [Ron Young, CR, COLM]
A patrol ranger investigating broken glass on Rim Rock Drive near the Red Canyon overlook on the morning of April 6th discovered a 1982 Cadillac resting on a ledge about 200 feet below the rim and 150 feet above the floor of the canyon. Two local fire departments responded and provided emergency technical assistance. A ranger and a fireman rappelled down to the car and determined that their were no occupants or any signs of apparent victims. The Cadillac was found to have been stolen from Palisade, Colorado, earlier that day. Removal of the vehicle will be difficult due to its precarious location on a steep ledge. Efforts are underway to determine how to accomplish the task with the least amount of risk to personnel and the environment. An investigation of the incident continues. [Ron Young, CR, COLM]
On the morning of April 16th, the stolen 1982 Cadillac which was pushed into Red Canyon earlier in the month was removed. The operation involved two private companies and park staff and was observed by news media. Chief ranger Ron Young was IC, and maintenance mechanic leader Larry Overbye was safety and hazmat officer. Ranger Lisa Lawrence and a battalion chief from the Grand Junction fire department rappelled 240 feet to rig safety lines for the crane crew, contain any further hazardous material leaks, and cleanup debris. Crane company crews used a 70-ton crane to remove the car from the canyon, and an environmental company analyzed soil samples to determine the success of the cleanup effort. Ranger Bill Rodgers and a county deputy processed the car for evidence. A suspect has been identified. [Ron Young, CR, COLM]
The driver of a Ford Mustang failed to negotiate a curve on the monument road late on the evening of October 5th and struck a rock face. Ranger Bill Row was on patrol nearby when he the accident was reported to him, and was on scene within about two minutes. The driver, J.B., 19, of Grand Junction, suffered massive injuries and later died in a local hospital. His four passengers, all juveniles, suffered a range of injuries, including a broken collarbone, sprains, lacerations and contusions. Investigation revealed that J.B. applied his brakes as he approached the curve and that they locked up. The Mustang skidded 115 feet, crossed the westbound land, left the roadway, and struck the rock. The drag factor was determined and the minimum speed was estimated to be in excess of 50 mph. This winding section of Rim Rock Drive has a posted speed limit of 25 mph and an advisory sign that the speed limit for the curve is 20 mph. Alcohol is not thought to have been a contributing factor. [Ron Young, CR, COLM]
D.V., 15, was on a school outing near the park's visitor center on the morning of October 11th when he and two companions decided to leave the group to explore on their own. The three climbed down to a ledge about ten feet below the canyon rim. D.V. attempted to continue, but slipped and fell about 20 feet, landing on his knees on a ledge about eight feet wide - the last stop before a 300 foot fall. Paramedic Lisa Lawrence, working at the park as a VIP, rapelled to the ledge and stabilized him. Diego was evacuated by litter with the help of local fire departments. He suffered a mild concussion and a sprained ankle, and underwent surgery for a broken kneecap. [Ron Young, CR, COLM]
On July 28th, J.M., 20, and his brother, Jason, 19, were hiking in the park's backcountry. They left the trail they were following near the Liberty Cap rock formation and tried to climb a steep and very exposed cliff. The brothers became stuck about half way up, unable to either climb further or descend. They began calling for help around 12:30 p.m.; a hiker who heard them hiked out of the backcountry and telephoned for help around 6 p.m. Ranger Lisa Lawrence responded and summoned assistance from the Grand Junction fire department's technical rescue team. Lawrence and the team rappelled down to the J.M.s, set up a raising system, and rescued the brothers. Neither was injured. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 7/30]
On September 21st, S.M., 29, of Grand Junction, Colorado, and his neighbor, W.Y., 22, were bicycling on Rim Rock Drive through the park. They rode their mountain bikes to and then beyond the railed overlook at Cold Shivers Point. W.Y. kept back from the highly exposed cliff, but S.M. rode right along the sandstone edge. While attempting to jump his bike across a large crack along the edge, he lost his balance and fell 300 feet to a ledge below. Several local agencies responded; ranger Bill Rodgers was IC. The recovery effort was hampered by a powerful thunderstorm, which was accompanied by lightning, rain, hail and flash flooding. During a break in the weather, a technical rescue team succeeded in recovering the body by means of a raising system. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 9/22]
Just before 9 a.m. on October 5th, ranger Bill Rodgers came upon a car at Cold Shivers Point overlook that did not appear to belong to any of the visitors then at the point. The vehicle's dark, tinted windows made it hard to see its interior, but Rodgers was able to determine that there was a person slumped over with a gun on her lap. Rodgers cleared the area of visitors and requested assistance from the county sheriff's department. Rodgers and the deputies subsequently determined that the victim was S.L.W., 31, of Highland Ranch, Colorado, and that she had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 10/6]
On November 8th, the fifth annual Rim Rock Run, a 37 kilometer foot race, was held at Colorado National Monument. When first run in 1993, the race consisted of about 25 entrants and was held without a road closure; by 1996, it had grown to 175 entrants and could no longer be safely held without closing Rim Rock Drive to visitors. For these reasons - safety and conflict with existing uses - the permit for the 1997 race was denied by monument superintendent Steve Hickman in March. This triggered intense negative media coverage from both Grand Junction and Denver newspapers. The denial was upheld at the Intermountain Regional Office and WASO. Colorado senators Campbell and Wayne Allard interceded with Secretary Babbitt, and the secretary instructed the NPS to issue a permit for this year's event, closing the road for five hours during the race. Director Stanton attended the event at the invitation of Colorado senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. With the support of the director, public involvement meetings to determine the future course of the race will be held in January. Race organizers have previously stated their intent to make this a servicewide issue. The race was managed under a unified incident command system with the Mesa County Sheriff's Department. Ron Young was overall IC. Rangers from Canyonlands NP, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM, Dinosaur NM, and the cluster support office assisted with the road closure. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 11/13]
On the morning of Monday, January 26th, J.K. saw her son, C.K., 15, off to school; he failed to return that evening, and she reported him as missing to the Mesa County sheriff's department on Tuesday morning. Ranger Bill Rodgers and deputies investigated, and determined that C.K. had not boarded the school bus and that he had likely skipped school, as he had done in the past. His mother said that he was very fond of hiking in the park. Rodgers and administrative assistant Shannon Young, a certified search dog handler, conducted limited canyon rim searches on Wednesday and Thursday, but Young's dog did not alert in any area. A ground search of the park near the K. house led to the discovery of C.K.'s tracks, but they were lost on slick rock and their age could not be determined. A cast of the tracks was made. Ground searches were continuing on Sunday when a person reported talking with a boy matching C.K.'s description the previous Monday in the vicinity of the Liberty Cap formation within the park. Rangers, deputies and county search and rescue personnel responded to the area and found tracks. Young's dog alerted in an area about 300 feet below the point last seen, but search efforts had to be suspended due to darkness and steep, icy hiking conditions. Search efforts resumed Monday morning, and searchers in a helicopter spotted C.K.'s body. He had fallen 350 feet. The body was evacuated by helicopter and identified by his mother. There is no indication that this was anything other than an accident, but the investigation is continuing. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 2/2]
On or about January 26th, C.K., 15, fell 350 feet to his death in the vicinity of the Liberty Cap formation. His body was found six days later after an extensive search effort. The subsequent investigation - including evaluation of evidence at the scene and a disturbed area where the boy apparently attempted to arrest his fall - has confirmed that the death was accidental. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 2/26]
Ranger Bill Row came upon a white pickup truck parked in an employee parking area near the park office at 9 p.m. on August 24th. When Row turned on his amber lights, the pickup truck left the area; the driver ran a stop sign, then accelerated westbound on Rim Rock Drive. Row activated his lights and siren, summoned assistance from rangers and local officers, and pursued the truck. Rim Rock Drive is winding and steep in this section. When speeds approached 50 mph, Row broke off the pursuit but continued following the truck. He soon spotted it at Distant View overlook, about a mile from the point where the pursuit began, and saw the driver get out and run into the backcountry. Row waited until backup arrived before following him. About 20 minutes later, ranger Patrick Perrotti found the body of M.M., 51, of Grand Junction, at the base of a 30-foot rock wall in a road cut on the switchback below the overlook. M.M. apparently ran through the backcountry in the dark, unaware of the road cut in front of him. Rangers and county deputies are continuing the investigation. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 8/25]
On November 14th, 300 runners competed in the sixth annual Rim Rock Run, a 37-kilometer race that takes place in the park. Due to the controversy and friction caused by the 1997 event, the park last winter conducted an environmental assessment (with significant public involvement) to determine the future of the race. The process resulted in the utilization of federal and state traffic engineers to develop a plan for the race. Runners used one lane of the road and a one-way traffic restriction permitted visitors to use the other lane. The race was managed under a unified incident command with the Mesa County Sheriff's Department. Ron Young was overall incident commander. Rangers from Canyonlands NP and Curecanti NRA assisted with management of the event. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 11/24]
Ranger Bill Row came upon a white pickup truck parked in an employee parking area near the park office at 9 p.m. on August 24, 1998. When approached, the driver fled, heading westbound on Rim Rock Drive. Row activated his lights and siren, summoned assistance from rangers and local officers, and pursued the truck down the winding road. When speeds approached 50 mph, Row broke off the pursuit but continued following the truck. He soon spotted it at Distant View overlook, about a mile from the point where the pursuit began, and saw the driver get out and run into the backcountry. Row waited until backup arrived before following him. About 20 minutes later, ranger Patrick Perrotti found the body of M.M., 51, of Grand Junction, at the base of a 30-foot rock wall in a road cut on the switchback below the overlook. M.M. apparently ran through the backcountry in the dark, unaware of the road cut in front of him. Because the fatality was related to a law enforcement contact, the chief ranger asked that the investigation be conducted by an outside agency. All evidence corroborated Row's report. Mesa County investigators found a single set of tracks approaching the cliff edge that were consistent with a person running. M.M. had an extensive local criminal history dating back several decades; he was a habitual traffic offender under Colorado law and did not have a valid driver's license. He'd been arrested for driving under the influence by Grand Junction police two weeks prior to this incident, and autopsy results showed that he had a blood alcohol content of 0.21%. The death has been ruled accidental. The park's board of inquiry, attended by the cluster law enforcement specialist and the sheriff's department investigator, concluded that Row's response to the incident was appropriate and highly professional. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 1/21]
On the afternoon of February 2nd, J.F., 18, and L.C., 17, were hiking off trail near the Devils Kitchen Monolith. They decided to scramble up a very steep and exposed slope; when they reached a sandstone outcrop near the canyon's upper rim, they realized that they could neither go further nor return. J.F. then jumped 25 feet to a rock below and fractured both ankles. L.C. declined to follow and began calling for help. Another hiker with a cell phone heard them and summoned assistance. Ranger Bill Row and the Grand Junction fire department's technical rescue team responded. The team was flown by helicopter to a position from which they were able to rappel down to the victims. They set up a raising system and retrieved J.F., who was flown to a hospital and underwent surgery on the same night. They then helped L.C. rappel down to safer terrain. She was not hurt and was able to hike out. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 2/3]
On March 24th, rangers responding to a report of an accident and possible DUI on the monument's east hill came upon C.P., whose vehicle had run out of gas. There were no indications of either an accident or alcohol. C.P. was offered a ride into town for gas, but he refused and instead went off on a hike. The vehicle had not been moved two days later, so a search was made of the surrounding area. There was no sign of C.P.. Ten days later, C.P.'s mother reported him missing to police in Fruita. Rangers continued to search likely areas within the park; sheriff's deputies and BLM rangers searched adjacent areas. On April 25th, hikers reported seeing a body in a remote canyon about a half mile from the point where C.P. was last seen. The county's technical rescue team, assisted by rangers, performed a difficult technical recovery. The victim was identified as C.P. The cause of death has yet been determined. Rangers, Fruita police, and the Mesa county coroner are continuing the investigation. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 4/29]
On March 24th, rangers responding to a report of an accident and possible DUI came upon C.P., 24, whose vehicle had run out of gas. There were no indications of either an accident or alcohol. C.P. was offered a ride into town for gas, but he refused and instead went off on a hike. When he failed to return home, a search was begun. His body was discovered on April 25th in a rugged and remote canyon about a half mile from the point where he was last seen. Investigation by rangers, local police and the county coroner has led to the conclusion that C.P.'s death was due to an accidental fall. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 7/7]
Rangers received a report of a body in Columbus Canyon on the afternoon of August 26th. Ranger Bill Row contacted a witness who said that the person in the canyon was a friend of his and was still alive. The victim - a 20-year- old male from Grand Junction - had called the witness to tell him where he was and that he had taken 16 sleeping pills. Row found the man about 400 feet down a very steep and exposed route into the canyon. Row and local firefighters rappelled to his location, put a harness on him, and belayed him as he climbed out under his own power. He was unhurt but incoherent and told rescuers that he was attempting to kill himself. He was taken to a local hospital and put on a 72-hour hold for psychological evaluation. Further investigation revealed that there was a felony warrant out against him for exploitation of a minor. Sheriff's deputies are dealing with that aspect of the incident. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 9/1]
A lunch cooler with an apparent suicide note inside was found along Rim Rock Drive at the head of Columbus Canyon on the morning of August 29th. Ranger Bill Row responded along with other rangers and sheriff's deputies. They searched Columbus Canyon, but found nothing. On the morning of the 30th, Row hiked to vantage point and saw a vehicle in Red Canyon, about a mile from the point where the note had been found. A body was visible near the vehicle. Row and two members of the county technical rescue team rappelled about 400 feet to the site. A raising system was set up and the body was extricated. The victim was identified as R.M., 26, of Grand Junction. Investigation revealed that R.M. had written the note found in the cooler and that his vehicle went over the cliff sometime during the night of August 28th-29th. The investigation is continuing; vehicle removal is pending. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 9/1]
A lunch cooler with an apparent suicide note inside was found along Rim Rock Drive at the head of Columbus Canyon on the morning of August 29th. A vehicle and body were subsequently found in Red Canyon, several hundred feet below the rim. The victim was identified as R.M., 26, of Grand Junction. His death has since been ruled a suicide. The vehicle was removed on October 15th in an operation that involved cutting up the vehicle in the canyon, then flying the pieces out by helicopter. After an initial refusal, R.M.'s insurance company was cooperative and covered the costs of the removal. (Ron Young, CR, COLM, 11/23)
On November 13th, 367 runners competed in the seventh annual Rim Rock Run, a 37- kilometer foot race. As was the case last year, the race was managed through a traffic plan that allowed runners use of one lane and a one-way traffic restriction that allowed visitors use of the other lane. Rangers from Canyonlands, Curecanti, and Dinosaur assisted with the event along with local deputies. (Ron Young, CR, COLM, 11/23)
Secretary Bruce Babbitt, regional director Karen Wade, and Bureau of Land Management state director Anne Morgan visited the park on Friday, November 19th, to discuss permanent protection for public land to the west of the monument that is currently a BLM wilderness study area. A public meeting was held in the park's amphitheater, during which the secretary heard a variety of opinions from elected officials and members of the public. The meeting was well-attended and cordial. Park staff assisted the secretary's staff with logistics and security. Local media interested was high. (Ron Young, CR, COLM, 11/23)
Ranger Bill Rodgers came upon a car parked at Historic Trails overlook late on the morning of November 30th. No one was visible either in the car or at the overlook, so he stopped to investigate. Inside the locked car was a man lying in the fully reclined drivers seat with a black plastic bag secured around his head. There were also deflated balloons and dozens of what proved to be small metal canisters of "Whip-It" nitrous oxide scattered around the car's interior. The man was not breathing. Rodgers, county deputies, and the county coroner investigated and determined that B.T., 21, of Fruita, Colorado, had died of accidental asphyxiation. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 12/1]
Ranger Bill Rodgers investigated a suspicious vehicle parked at Cold Shivers overlook on the morning of December 31st. He hiked to a vantage point where he was able to see what appeared to be a body in Columbus Canyon, 400 feet below the rim. Rodgers and members of the county technical rescue team rappelled into the canyon and confirmed the fatality. A raising system was set up and the body was recovered. The victim has been identified as John Heinecke of Grand Junction; the death has been ruled a suicide. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 1/1, 1/3]
Rim Rock Drive was closed by a large rock fall adjacent to the Upper Liberty Cap trailhead on the morning of January 8th. There were no injuries. A block of sandstone from the Salt Wash member of the Morrison Formation fell and covered the road with an estimated 300 tons of debris. Engineers and geologists will examine the area to determine whether further slides are likely to occur before any repair work begins. Rim Rock Drive may be closed for two to three weeks while the debris is removed. The location of the incident, about half way between the park's two entrance stations, means that visitors cannot drive all the way across Rim Rock Drive. Most of the monument, however, remains accessible. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 1/10]
On March 4th, ranger Bill Row received a report of a vehicle break-in within the park. Although the victims reported the incident within minutes and officers from the local area responded promptly to assist, the suspects were able to escape. The victims reported that they'd lost credit cards and climbing equipment and expedition gear valued in excess of $7,000. The following morning, the victims told Row that their credit card company had informed them that the stolen credit cards had been used at a local Grand Junction mall. With the assistance of mall security, Row determined that the suspects had employed the cards to charge more than $1,400 worth of electronic equipment, CD's, clothing, jewelry, and athletic shoes at eleven different mall stores. Security cameras in three of the stores had videotaped three men using the cards. When Row showed the tapes to local law enforcement agencies, officers from Fruita, Colorado, recognized one of the suspects. Row drove by his residence and saw a second suspect from the tapes who also matched clerks' descriptions. Row contacted the man - K.F., 20, of Fruita. Interviews and plain-view evidence resulted in K.F.'s arrest, the arrest of a juvenile involved, and recovery of much of the stolen property. The third man, J.M., 20, of Fruita, turned himself in. A search warrant was executed on one of the suspect's residences, and much of the rest of the stolen property was recovered. Stolen property from a second break-in that occurred the same day on BLM land adjacent to the park was also recovered. The assistant US attorney has filed felony charges of theft and unauthorized use of a credit card under 18 USC. (Ron Young, CR, COLM, 3/10)
Ranger Bill Row saw a car with a sole occupant parked at the Upper Serpents trail parking lot around 9:30 p.m. on May 20th. It appeared to him that the 42-year-old female driver was intoxicated, although there was no odor of alcohol on her breath. When asked if she was taking medication, she produced a bag with several prescriptions, most of which she had taken. She said repeatedly that she just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up. Row summoned an ambulance and kept her awake with questions and conversation, as her level of consciousness was deteriorating rapidly. She was taken to a hospital and placed in the intensive care unit, where she's expected to recover. She was also placed on a 72-hour mental health hold. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 5/22]
On the afternoon of June 23rd, a vehicle entered the park through the west entrance without stopping. Park electrician Jim Pratt, who was on his way home from work, passed by the car and saw that the driver was crying and driving erratically. Pratt employed the entrance station radio to immediately notify ranger Bill Rodgers, then followed the vehicle about three miles to Historic Trails overlook. Pratt saw the 41-year-old female driver stop the car, then run toward a 180-foot cliff. When Rodgers arrived on scene, he found her lying on her back and crying near the cliff edge. Members of her family arrived on scene and advised that she'd told them she was going to jump off a cliff and that she had made prior suicide attempts. Rodgers and the woman's son slowly approached her; when she put her hand over her eyes while crying, they were able to grab hold of her. She was taken to a hospital and placed on a 72-hour mental health hold. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 6/26]
Over the past several months, there have been numerous thefts from autos parked at trailheads in the park and surrounding area. The primary method of entry has been by breaking a window with a rock. The thieves have taken only women's purses on almost all occasions, after which they would immediately go into nearby Grand Junction and use stolen credit cards or purchase items with stolen checks. Ranger Bill Row developed a plan for a surveillance operation utilizing rangers from nearby parks, with funding assistance from the Intermountain Support Office in Denver. Ranger Doug Ekker from Dinosaur NM saw a vehicle enter the Devils Kitchen trailhead parking area around 6:30 p.m. on September 8th. Three men got out and looked into the window of a "plant" car, which had a purse on its floor. One of the men threw a rock at the car's window, but it bounced off. Another was thrown with similar results. The trio then drove away. Row was notified and stopped the vehicle; Ekker and city and county officers backed him up. They arrested A.L., 33, D.T., 33, and B.M., 29, all from Grand Junction. One of them had earlier been videotaped using an ATM card stolen from a vehicle in the park. Further investigation led to the arrest the next day of T.M., 20, of Grand Junction, who was also seen on the ATM videotape. Numerous charges are pending and the investigation in continuing in close cooperation with the U.S. attorney and local agencies. (Ron Young, CR, COLM, 9/12)
The Immigration and Naturalization Service conducted a naturalization ceremony at the park's visitor center on November 15th. Sixty-three people from throughout Colorado's Western Slope area became citizens during the ceremony, presided over by a magistrate judge from Grand Junction. The ceremony was well attended by friends and families of the new citizens and received significant local media coverage. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 11/16]
On May 8th, B.B., 42, and T.F., 21, both of Grand Junction, were rappelling down a 75-foot cliff within the park when T.F. fell. B.B., the belayer, was unable to completely arrest the fall and T.F. landed on a ledge and broke an ankle. Park staff helped the Mesa County Technical Rescue Team set up a litter raising system. T.F. was retrieved and transported to the hospital. [Ron Young, CR, COLM, 5/10]
On June 3rd, O.K., 21, of Annandale, Virginia, was in the park's backcountry with her geology field trip from the University of Arizona. While climbing on her own away from her group and without equipment, she slipped and fell approximately 80 feet down a very steep and rocky slope, suffering two fractured legs, injuries to her forehead, jaw, and teeth, and numerous contusions. Rangers Bill Row and Todd Overbye and members of the Lower Valley Fire Department hiked to her location, treated her injuries, then placed her on a spine board and into a Stokes litter. Park staff helped the Mesa County Technical Rescue Team set up a litter raising system. O.K. was retrieved and transported to the hospital via helicopter. BLM rangers assisted with traffic control. (Ron Young, CR, COLM, 6/4)
Rangers received a report of a vehicle in a canyon between Highland View and Artist Point overlooks on the afternoon of May 20th. They found a white sedan occupied by a 19-year-old man from Grand Junction, who admitted that he'd deliberately driven off the road in an attempt to commit suicide. It also appeared that he'd attempted to ignite the gas in the vehicle's tank by lighting a rag in the gas port. A broken belt was found hanging in a nearby tree, where it appeared that he'd attempted to hang himself after the crash - a fact he confirmed later when talking with medical staff. He also said that he'd attempted to electrocute himself a week earlier, but without luck. He sustained numerous lacerations and contusions in the accident and was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, where he is being held until a psychological review can be completed. Bill Row is conducting the investigation. [Bill Row, Acting CR, COLM, 5/23]
On the morning of October 14, ranger Bill Row checked out a vehicle at Cold Shivers overlook that he'd seen in the same place the previous night. The park contacted the appropriate sheriff's department and asked a deputy to call the registered owner's telephone number and check the address, but there was no one home. Shortly thereafter, a visitor spotted what appeared to be a body in Columbus Canyon about 350 feet below the overlook. The Mesa County technical rescue team was summoned, and they recovered the body of a 24-year-old woman from Clifton, Colorado. Investigation revealed that she'd twice attempted to commit suicide in 1999. The investigation continues. [Submitted by Ron Young, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of December 6, rangers received a report from visitors of a car that was at the base of a cliff about 175 feet below Rim Rock Drive near Coke Ovens Overlook. Ranger Bill Rodgers responded and requested assistance from other agencies. Membes of the Mesa County technical rescue team rappelled to the vehicle, set up a raising system, and recovered the body of a 25-year-old woman from Grand Junction. Grand Junction PD had been looking for the victim and is the lead agency in the investigation. A note was found at her residence; although suicide is deemed probable, an investigation by rangers, local and state officers and the county coroner is continuing. Vehicle removal operations are pending. [Submitted by Ron Young, Chief Ranger]
On the morning of October 12th, ranger Joel Barnett was informed by
maintenance worker Greg Crawford of a suspicious unattended vehicle at
Red Canyon Overlook. While Barnett was en route to investigate, Crawford
spotted a body about 250 below the overlook. The Mesa County Sheriff's
Department was asked to assist, as was the county technical rescue team.
Team members recovered the body of M.J.L., 32, of Grand
Junction. Deputies and rangers were informed by the Grand Junction
Police Department that M.J.L. had been the subject of a domestic dispute
the previous night and had threatened to jump off a cliff. No foul play
is suspected at this time, but deputies and the county coroner are
continuing to investigate to determine whether the death was accidental
or a suicide. M.J.L. was the weatherman for a local television station,
so local media interest has been high.
At about 6 p.m. on October 24th, two visitors saw what they believed
was a body below the Redlands Fault overlook. They confirmed their
suspicion with binoculars and called 911. Rangers and Mesa County
deputies responded and located the body of a 49-year-old Fruita man
about 100 feet below the overlook. A suicide note was found in his
pocket. Investigation by deputies and the coroner indicate the body had
been there between 18 and 24 hours.
On the afternoon of March 9th, N.R., 19, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was lead climbing on Independence Monument, the park's most climbed spire, when his protection failed and he fell approximately 20 feet, suffering numerous contusions, lacerations and a fractured ankle. His companions called for assistance by cell phone. Ranger Joel Barnett and members of both the Lower Valley and Glade Park Fire Departments responded. N.R. was stabilized, packaged, and moved to a helispot via belayed litter and airlifted to St. Mary's Hospital.[Submitted by Ron Young, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of March 14th, B.A., 19, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was hiking and rock scrambling with three friends in the Devils Kitchen area when he slipped near a cliff edge and fell about 40 feet. His companions called 911 by cell phone and ranger Joel Barnett and the Grand Junction Fire Department rescue team responded. B.A. was stabilized, packaged, moved to a helispot, and airlifted to St. Mary's hospital. He was initially listed in critical condition with two broken vertebrae, fractures in his right arm, wrist, and hand, and numerous other contusions and lacerations. His condition has since been upgraded to stable.
On the afternoon of March 17th, R.B., 43, of Fort Collins,
Colorado, was hiking with two companions near Upper Ute Canyon overlook.
His friends, noticing that R.B. was no longer with them, flagged down
ranger Bill Rodgers. Rodgers looked into the canyon below and saw what
appeared to be a body about 200 feet below at the base of a cliff. Mesa
County search and rescue units were requested and conducted a technical
recovery. While it appeared that alcohol was involved, no foul
play is suspected.
On the morning of January 10th, three hikers on the Monument Canyon Trail came upon the burning wreckage of vehicle that had fallen from Rim Rock Drive, some 450 feet above. Rangers, Mesa County deputies, Colorado State Patrol troopers, and members of the Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department responded. The remains of the body of J.C., 46, of Grand Junction were found and removed. Rim Rock Drive was wet but not icy at the time of the accident, and there was no indication of skidding or other attempt to avoid the cliff. The vehicle was removed by helicopter on February 3rd with the assistance of helitack crew from Mesa Verde National Park. Ranger Joel Barnett was IC. County investigators have released the results of their investigation and have ruled the death as accidental, with alcohol a contributing factor. [Submitted by Ron Young, Chief Ranger]
On November 12th, 327 runners competed in the 13th annual Rim Rock Run 37k foot race at Colorado National Monument. Rim Rock Drive, the main road through the park, was limited to one-way traffic during the event, with vehicles utilizing one lane while the runners used the other. Commissioned rangers from Canyonlands and deputies from Mesa County Sheriff's Department assisted with the successful event. (Phil Akers, Chief Ranger)
On the afternoon of December 14th, a 23-year-old man from Mesa, Colorado, died in a single vehicle rollover accident. He was driving on Rim Rock Drive when he skidded off an icy section of the road and plunged approximately 200 feet into a steep ravine. A friend of the victim was following him in another vehicle and witnessed the accident. It appears excessive speed was a contributing factor. Rangers and the Colorado State Patrol are investigating. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger)
During the early evening hours of May 2nd, a ranger found the body of a 74-year-old Grand Junction man who had apparently shot himself in the abdomen with a .22 caliber handgun near the Red Canyon View overlook. The ranger was patrolling Rim Rock Drive when he came upon an unoccupied pickup truck at the overlook. He looked inside the truck and saw some funeral arrangement paperwork on the front seat, a set of keys and a wallet on the center console, and an empty gun box on the floor on the passenger side. The ranger searched the area for approximately an hour but was unable to find the driver. About two hours later, the ranger returned to the overlook and found the driver about 50 feet from his truck and about 8 feet below the overlook. Rangers, Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputies, and the local county coroner are investigating. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of June 8th, rangers and members of the Mesa County technical rescue team recovered a body near a wrecked vehicle approximately 200 feet below Rim Rock Drive in Red Canyon. The suicide most likely occurred on May 18th. On that day, rangers received notice that a 49-year-old Grand Junction man was threatening to drive off a cliff near Cold Shivers Point. An immediate search was conducted in the Cold Shivers Point area and along Rim Rock Drive, but rangers found no signs of a vehicle going over the edge. On the morning of June 8th, a park volunteer was picking up litter near Rim Rock Drive when he noticed a white vehicle in Red Canyon. Rangers, Mesa County Sheriff's Office deputies, and the Colorado State Patrol officers are investigating. [Submitted by Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
During the early morning hours on September 1st, a 59-year-old woman from Grand Junction shot herself with a .357 caliber handgun at the Grand View overlook. Rangers and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office are investigating. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On the morning of November 13th, A.Y., 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was shot several times by local law enforcement officers after an eight mile pursuit that culminated in a serious motor vehicle accident and armed confrontation in the park. A park ranger and a BLM ranger were involved in the pursuit, but did not fire their weapons. No law enforcement personnel or visitors were injured in the incident, and A.Y. was subsequently treated and released from a local hospital. The incident began just after 6 a.m. when Grand Junction PD officers stopped A.Y. for a license plate violation. A.Y. sped off in his Honda Accord after a police officer spotted a .380 handgun in his lap that was pointed at another officer. The officers chose not to pursue, but instead broadcast A.Y.'s vehicle description. About an hour later, Grand Junction dispatch received the first of several calls from residents in Glade Park reporting that a man was demanding a vehicle to continue his flight from the officers. One of the callers said that A.Y. had fired a handgun outside of his home, yelling that he only wanted the keys to the man's truck. Officers from the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Grand Junction PD and BLM headed into the park to gain access to the road into Glade Park. A few minutes later, the sheriff's office asked park rangers to assist and the ranger on duty joined the response. At 8 a.m. the ranger heard over the radio that a high speed pursuit was coming his way. He immediately warned a half-dozen road construction workers in the area to clear the road and seek cover inside their vehicles. A.Y.'s vehicle soon appeared, traveling at high speed towards him and the construction vehicles. The ranger sought cover behind a dump truck and drew his handgun. A.Y. then turned east onto Rim Rock Drive, with five or six county deputies and a BLM ranger in pursuit. The NPS ranger joined them. A.Y. traveled about eight miles across Rim Rock Drive at speeds ranging from 40 to 60 mph (the road is currently being repaved and has a posted speed limit of 25 mph), then turned south onto Glade Park Road and hit three unmarked detective vehicles employed as a road block at about 60 mph. The Honda ended up on the roads' southbound shoulder. Rangers and offices converged on the scene within minutes. About ten officers approached the Honda, taking cover behind the wrecked detective vehicles and a civilian pickup truck across the road. A.Y. remained in his Honda, refusing to comply with officer commands. The NPS ranger stayed behind the parked pursuit vehicles, directing upcoming traffic and assisting a witness. When officers saw A.Y. pointing his handgun at them, they returned fire. The five Mesa County SO and three Grand Junction PD officers fired about 70 rounds at A.Y. with their handguns and a .223 rifle. A.Y. was hit in both hands and a shoulder. After the firing stopped, A.Y. continued to ignore officer's orders and started yelling obscenities at them. Four SWAT members subsequently arrived on scene, approached A.Y., and placed him under arrest. He was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. A.Y. is known to be a regular methamphetamine user and has an extensive criminal history. He is currently being held at the Mesa County Detention Center. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. No federal charges have been filed at this time. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On November 11th, 259 runners competed in the 14th annual Rim Rock Run, a 37k foot race held within the park. Rim Rock Drive, the main road through the park, was limited to one-way traffic during the event, with vehicles utilizing one lane while the runners used the other. A commissioned ranger from Black Canyon NP and several deputies from Mesa County Sheriff's Department assisted with the successful event. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
A 35-year-old man from Grand Junction died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Rim Rock Drive near the Upper Ute Canyon trailhead on the evening of March 14th. The man was traveling west on Rim Rock Drive in a 25 mph zone when he lost control of his motorcycle and ended up crashing on the eastbound lane shoulder. The man was not wearing a helmet and suffered massive head injuries. A friend of the victim who was traveling behind him on another motorcycle witnessed the accident and began immediate CPR. At this time, alcohol appears to have been a contributing factor. Rim Rock Drive is currently being resurfaced and the accident took place where the roadway was uneven. Rangers and Colorado State Patrol officers are investigating. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
A 57-year-old woman from Grand Junction committed suicide by driving her car off a 250-foot-high cliff about a mile west of Cold Shivers Point along Rim Rock Drive on October 30th. Late on that afternoon, a Federal Highway Administration engineer was inspecting Rim Rock Drive when he spotted a white Subaru at the bottom of Red Canyon. Park rangers and personnel from several agencies responded. Members of the Mesa County technical rescue team rappelled to the vehicle and made an attempt to remove the body from the wreckage. At approximately 9 p.m., the operation was called off due to darkness. The next morning, rangers and the Mesa County SAR team removed the body with extraction tools and hauled it to the top of the cliff. A suicide note was found in the woman's home. Rangers investigated along with Mesa County Sheriff's Office and Colorado State Patrol officers. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On November 10th, 225 runners competed in the 15th annual Rim Rock Run, a 37k (22.6 mile) foot race held within the park. Rim Rock Drive, the main road through the park, was limited to one-way traffic during the event, with vehicles utilizing one lane while the runners used the other. A commissioned ranger from Black Canyon and several deputies from Mesa County Sheriff's Department assisted Colorado NM rangers with the event. Race officials are contemplating a full marathon for next year's Rim Rock Run. The race would extend several miles outside of the park towards the town of Fruita. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
Park staff dealt with three significant incidents on the weekend of November 16th through November 18th:
[Submitted by Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of April 5th, a 22-year-old woman from Grand Junction was recued after she fell approximately 40 feet from the Fallen Rock Overlook. The woman was scrambling behind the railing at the overlook when she lost her footing and fell onto a small shelf along a 200-foot cliff. Her companion witnessed the accident and called 911 on his cell phone. Rangers and several fire and rescue agencies responded to the incident. A technical raising system was used to lift the woman to the rim and she was later flown by a life flight helicopter to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. The woman is currently in the ICU with multiple fractures and is expected to survive. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On the afternoon of May 12th, a 27-year-old man from Grand Junction was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. His vehicle had been found abandoned on the east hill of Rim Rock Drive about a half mile south of the Serpents Trailhead the day before. Rangers and a dozen volunteers from the Mesa County SAR team found his body within a couple of hours about 200 yards from the vehicle in a steep ravine. The National Park Service is leading the investigation. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
A ranger came upon a 26-year-old woman from Grand Junction passed out in her vehicle at the Upper Serpents trailhead on the evening of May 30th. In plain view on the passenger seat was a suicide note and a black bag filled with prescription pill bottles. The ranger revived the woman and was in the process of radioing for an ambulance when the woman produced a .40 caliber handgun and raised it alongside her head with the barrel pointing skyward. The ranger drew his sidearm and took cover behind his patrol vehicle while issuing verbal commands for the woman to drop the gun and put her hands up. After some hesitation, the woman lowered the gun and complied with the ranger's commands to get out of the vehicle. After placing the woman in handcuffs and securing the scene, the ranger provided medical care. An ambulance and several sheriff deputies arrived on scene shortly after to assist. The woman is currently in stable condition under psychiatric detention at a local mental health center. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
A 21-year-old man from Grand Junction hung himself below a juniper tree near Cold Shivers Point on the afternoon of July 23rd. A ranger was patrolling Rim Rock Drive that afternoon when he came upon an unoccupied vehicle parked at the point. The ranger performed a quick search of the area and found the victim about 100 yards from the parking lot. An entrance station receipt in the vehicle revealed that he'd driven into the park about twenty minutes earlier. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On the evening of October 18th, a ranger and a sheriff's deputy successfully disarmed a 35-year-old suicidal woman from Grand Junction about a half a mile east of the visitor center. A ranger and several sheriff's deputies responded to a report of a suicidal woman heading up to the monument to kill herself. A friend of the woman found her car on the side of Rim Rock Drive and reported his location to 911 dispatch. The ranger and a deputy arrived on scene a few minutes later and found the women sitting on the ground with a 9mm handgun in her lap. Fortunately, the slide on the handgun was locked back. The ranger drew his handgun and the deputy ordered the woman to drop the gun. When she failed to comply, the deputy and the ranger tackled and disarmed her. The gun was found to be unloaded, with many unspent rounds on the ground. Apparently the woman did not know how to operate the handgun properly. She was later transported to a mental health center in Grand Junction. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
A van went off the park road on Wednesday, January 21st, and tumbled 120 feet down a 300-foot cliff before getting caught on a ledge, its rear wheels teetering over a 180-foot precipice above Red Canyon. Rescuers established a rope system, descended to the van, extricated the injured driver, and raised him up to the road and a waiting ambulance. Plans are to remove the van today with a giant crane. For a series of eleven photos detailing this rescue, click on the link below. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
On the night of Wednesday, January 21st, rangers and interagency law enforcement, fire, search and rescue personnel responded to a call for help from a Grand Junction man, D.L., 34, who had driven his van off of Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument with the intent to commit suicide. The van got caught on a rock outcropping about 120 feet below Rim Rock Drive. D.L. had a cell phone and dialed 911 at 4:30 p.m. Through the efforts of some 60 rescue personnel and first responders, D.L. was safely extricated from the vehicle in the dark at 7:30 p.m. and transported via helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction. He was hospitalized with minor injuries and is now in jail on felony charges. Last Thursday, park staff and personnel from the Giradi Crane and Rigging Company successfully recovered the 1987 Dodge van, which was still teetering on a rock ledge approximately 120 feet below the drive. Park staff were assisted by Mesa County technical search and rescue team members, a BLM incident safety officer, and an ambulance crew from Grand Junction Fire during the vehicle recovery operation. Crane company personnel used a 240-ton crane with a 97-foot boom. Both a man basket and a heavy weighted ball hook were used to rig the van before successfully lifting it out of Red Canyon. Portions of Rim Rock Drive were closed at 6:00 a.m. to allow the crane and vehicle convoy to begin to travel to Red Canyon. The crane arrived at the setup location at 7:00 a.m., then crane personnel spent another hour setting up the crane and its platform. Crane ground personnel and Mesa County technical search and rescue team members worked from a rock ledge to place safety lines and direct crane personnel descending in a man basket to chain the vehicle and ultimately to execute the recovery. The vehicle was pulled out of the canyon at 10:20 a.m. The crane and rest of the convoy vehicles left the park by 1:00 p.m. and Rim Rock Drive was reopened. A series of park photos are available to view or download from HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/colm" on the photo gallery page. Other slide shows and video can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.gjsentinel.com" , HYPERLINK "http://www.KJCT8.com", HYPERLINK "http://www.nbcnews11.com" and HYPERLINK "http://www.krex.com". [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
On Saturday, June 20th, three local cyclists enjoying a morning ride along Rim Rock Drive discovered a man's body near Red Canyon Overlook and called 911. Responding rangers found the body and closed the overlook to public access. The victim was found to be a 39-year-old man from Grand Junction who had shot himself near the overlook, then fallen below it. He left a suicide note. Park rangers were assisted at the scene by Mesa County Sheriff's Department deputies and Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department personnel. Mesa County's coroner arrived a few hours later to remove the body, so the overlook remained closed for several hours. Additional park staff were dispatched to the overlook to assist and redirect visitors who were driving or cycling to the popular overlook on a busy Saturday morning during the first "fee free weekend" of the summer. This marks the first suicide actually committed this year in the park despite a rash of suicide attempts, and, fortunately, dozens of successful and sometimes heroic suicide interventions by park rangers and visitor use assistants. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
On the night of Monday, August 3rd, vandals wantonly damaged part of the historic Devil's Kitchen stone picnic shelter. They broke 21 panes of glass, some original to the building, broke into a service closet, emptied a fire extinguisher onto picnic tables and the ground area, broke door handles and latches, scattered debris, and left human excrement in their wake. This beautiful structure was constructed by hand by the hard-working men of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941. The stone picnic shelter was placed on the National Register of Historic Structures in 1994 to recognize its nationally historic significance and the great conservation work legacy of the CCC. The Devil's Kitchen picnic area is used by more than 100,000 visitors annually, including many people who hold family picnics, reunions and other events there. It's also the place where the Junior Ranger Explorer summer day camp is staged. Fortunately, the camp had just completed its last session at the picnic area on Monday, otherwise the children would have been without their camp base. The camp serves 350 children of the Grand Valley each summer at no charge to the children's families. The Devil's Kitchen parking lot, historic picnic shelter, and restrooms have been closed while the law enforcement investigation is underway and to allow for safe cleanup of the volume of broken glass and scattered rocks. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 241-7867 or 1-800-221-7867. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
On the afternoon of Saturday, August 22nd, S.D., 65, of Madison, Wisconsin, lost control of his bike while riding down the east hill of Rim Rock Drive approximately a mile from the east entrance station. Two cyclists riding up the hill saw S.D. traveling downhill at about 25 mph before he lost control and hit the pavement. The cyclists called 911 and a Grand Junction Fire Department ambulance and a National Park Service ranger immediately responded. S.D. was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction. On Sunday afternoon, he passed away. This marks the first time a serious cycling accident has resulted in a cyclist fatality in the history of the monument. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
Rangers arrested J.M., 30, on a variety of charges following an accident that occurred in the park on the evening of August 28th. A visitor reported that a vehicle had crashed into a park sign, then left the accident scene. Investigating rangers found that J.M. had abandoned his vehicle on Rim Rock Drive near Red Canyon and was walking along the roadway. They determined that the car had been stolen in Montrose two years ago and that the vehicle's VIN number had been largely destroyed. They also learned that J.M. has a long criminal history, including DUIs, multiple traffic offenses, child abuse, various weapons offenses, various drug and alcohol convictions, and parole violations. He was arrested on a felony charge of possessing a stolen car and on numerous other charges, including reckless driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol, destroying federal property with his vehicle (a Colorado National Monument sign), leaving the crash site, and driving with a suspended license. He may also be charged with destruction of the VIN number. Other federal charges are pending and likely as the investigation continues. J.M. was to make his initial appearance in federal court yesterday. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
Greg Crawford, the park's chief of maintenance, went to work extra early on Wednesday, December 30th, to check out conditions on the park's snowy Rim Rock Drive. When Crawford arrived at the park's west entrance road around 4:20 a.m., he saw a grouping of unusual tire tracks, paw prints, and what he would later determine were rope marks near the entrance to the park. Crawford proceeded cautiously up the hill, noting that the prints indicated that the dog was walking next to the vehicle, then running, then being dragged. When he came to the first tunnel three miles up the hill, he found that the tracks stopped, then turned around, and that there was a body of a large dog lying in the snow with a rope around its neck. The dog, a German Shepherd - Blue Heeler mix, was otherwise in good condition, with a heavy coat of winter fur. Protection ranger Clint Forte joined him and began an investigation; the park's VUA supervisor, Leo Dutilly, was called in to download surveillance tapes from the west entrance station which yielded evidence used in the investigation and eventually in an arrest warrant. Other park staff monitored the crime tip line and posted pictures to the park's web page in the hope that someone would identify the dog. A wide-ranging investigation was begun with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office that included interviews, surveillance of people and places, and a search of a home with a search warrant. As a result of the initial public tips, surveillance tapes, overall great law enforcement work and rapid response of the park's entire team across division lines, a suspect - S.R., 36, of Fruita, Colorado - was arrested the next day at the Mesa County courthouse, where he was appearing on unrelated charges. S.R. faces one felony count of aggravated cruelty towards an animal. If found guilty and convicted, the penalty can include up to three years in federal prison and up to a $100,000 fine. S.R. was booked into Mesa County's jail on December 31st and held without bond. He is expected to face detention and initial hearings this week. The investigation is continuing and other charges may be filed. The dog, named "B.," that S.R. allegedly dragged by his truck to its death, was reportedly stolen by other individuals where S.R. had been staying. Other law enforcement agencies are investigating the dog theft case. The park received hundreds of calls and email notes expressing support for its work and expressing a desire to see the person who committed the crime caught. There were many offers to provide reward money as an incentive to catch a suspect, but evidence and several key tips were received, so the park did not post a reward. [Joan Anzelmo, Superintendent]
Just before midnight on March 12th, a ranger received a call from dispatch about a father who was concerned about the welfare of his 51-year-old son. The son had left a suicide note at his residence and a family member had found his vehicle at the Lower Serpents trailhead. The ranger found the son's vehicle parked at the trailhead with a note on the center console with directions on where to find him. The ranger also noticed the vehicle had an entrance station receipt inside the windshield that showed he entered the monument on March 11th at 2:20 p.m. On the following morning, two rangers hiked up the No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail and found the man hanging from a tree about eight-tenths of a mile from the trailhead on a side canyon near a social trail. The man was from Grand Junction and was unemployed and had a long history of mental illness. The National Park Service and the Mesa County Coroner's Office are investigating. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
On June 5th, rangers responded to the report of a theft from an auto at the Lower Monument Canyon trailhead, but found that it had taken place approximately 70 feet from the park's boundary and therefore turned the investigation over to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. Three days later, rangers received a report of three more vehicles being broken into at the same trailhead, but within the park's boundary. One of the victims reported that her purse was stolen and that someone had used one of her credit cards at City Market grocery stores in Fruita and Grand Junction that afternoon. Rangers worked closely with City Market staff and received excellent surveillance photos of the suspect from them. The photos were distributed to law enforcement agencies in the Grand Valley and an employee from the Grand Junction Police Department recognized the suspect as C.L., 25, of Fruita. On June 14th, a team comprised of rangers, police officers, a sheriff's deputy and a BLM ranger executed a search warrant on C.L.'s home in the town of Fruita. C.L. arrived home an hour after the search began and confessed to entering the three vehicles on the 8th and using the stolen credit card at the grocery stores. He was arrested under a federal arrest warrant and taken to the Mesa County Jail. State charges are also pending. [Phil Akers, Chief Ranger]
Rangers responded to an apparent suicide just after midnight on Friday, September 9th, when a visitor called 911 to report seeing a woman run and jump off the edge of a cliff near Cold Shivers Point. Units from Glade Park and Grand Junction Fire Departments responded to assist the rangers. Due to darkness and hazardous terrain, search and recovery operations were suspended until first light. The body of a 24-year-old Grand Junction woman was located and recovered below Cold Shivers Point on Saturday by the Mesa County Technical Rescue Team. The recovery involved an approximately 300-foot technical raise from the base of cliff. The Mesa County Coroner's Office assisted with the investigation and notifications to the family. [Karen McKinlay-Jones, Acting Chief Ranger]
On the morning of March 20th, rangers discovered significant graffiti in five locations throughout the park, including defacement of two historic walls. Following an investigation, they identified the suspect as 18-year-old D.S., who subsequently confessed. Charges were filed against D.S. with the United States Attorney's Office for defacement of mineral resources and vandalism (major graffiti), a Class B misdemeanor which carries a maximum sentence of six months imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. In court on April 10th, the defendant signed a plea agreement calling for over $1,400 in restitution (the cost of repair and removal), a $200 fine, and 40 hours of useful public service. In her ruling, the magistrate, after seeing before and after photos, complimented the park on its careful and thorough yet quick restoration of the historic structures. [Eric Paul, Acting Chief Ranger]
Four visitors who'd stopped just inside the park's west entrance to take photographs early on the afternoon of July 2nd spotted a body about ten feet from the road. The victim was subsequently identified as a 49-year-old Grand Junction woman, and the coroner ruled the death a homicide. A suspect was identified and taken into custody. The killing is being jointly investigated by the park and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office. There is no evidence the crime occurred in the monument and the body was most likely dumped in the area where it was found. [Mark Davison, Chief Ranger]
Three visitor fatalities occurred in the park this month - the first on September 9th and the second and third during a 24-hour period over September 18th and 19th. A 27-year-old man accidentally fell 400 feet from near Cold Shivers Point Overlook while visiting from Virginia last Wednesday. A day later, a 71-year-old man from Texas died at the scene of a single vehicle accident despite life-saving measures taken. Earlier this month, on September 9th, there was also another fatality, a suicide. The park has been working collaboratively with Mesa County Sheriff's Department, whose officers have been assisting with body recoveries and peer support. [Lisa Eckert, Superintendent]
A 16-year-old boy from Grand Junction was killed in a fall of about 100 feet at Independence Monument Overlook on May 20th. The boy was outside of the enclosed viewpoint when he lost his footing at the edge of the cliff. He was conscious when first responders reached him, but succumbed to his traumatic injuries before medical assistance could be provided. [Mark Davison, Chief Ranger]
A 21-year-old New York State woman, C.N., has been identified as the primary suspect in recent vandalism cases that affect eight national parks in the western United States. National Park Service investigators have confirmed that images were painted on rocks and boulders in Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park, all in California; Rocky Mountain National Park and Colorado National Monument, both in Colorado; Crater Lake National Park, in Oregon; Zion National Park and Canyonlands National Park, both in Utah. Investigators continue to collect evidence of the crimes and conduct interviews and are consulting with the U.S. Attorney's Office about potential charges. The image in Rocky Mountain National Park was reported to the park and removed in late September before similar images were found in the other national parks. Ice and snow now cover the image at Crater Lake National Park, and it may not be accessible for assessment and clean up until next summer. An image in Yosemite National Park was removed by an unknown person or persons. If people visiting these parks come upon these images, they should contact the nearest park ranger with information about the image location. Visitors should not attempt to remove the images. The National Park Service was contacted on October 20th about this vandalism case. The investigation began immediately. [Jeffrey Olson]
One rider in the Icon Eyecare Tour of the Moon bicycle ride died in an accident this past Saturday while several other riders suffered from hypothermia due to a heavy thunderstorm that crossed the park. The 64-year-old woman, one of 2,800 riders in the race, was descending the east hill and lost control of her bike. The accident was unwitnessed, but high speed was not considered to be a contributing factor. According to the park's chief ranger, a number of riders had a tough time dealing with the rain squall that blew through the monument, and a few were treated for hypothermia. Sources: CBS Denver and the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.
The National Parks — Articles on the effects of the shutdown on several specific National Park Service areas — and the ad hoc and often inconsistent ways in which they're being managed during the shutdown: Colorado NM — A story in the January 13th edition of the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports on the shutdown's effect on the park via an interview with its chief ranger, Mark Davison, who, as the paper says in its headline, "is still on mission." This is the seventh and longest shutdown that Davison has experienced in his 32-year career. The reporter details the tasks that he and his fellow "essential" employees are performing during the shutdown, and ends by noting that he's been "pleasantly surprised" to find that the park has not suffered any of the depredations that have occurred elsewhere. Source: Erin McIntyre, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.
The Mesa County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call last Sunday evening from a 45-year-old man who said he'd fallen into a canyon while hiking in the park. Search and rescue personnel, sheriff's deputies, park rangers and Careflight crews found the man near the upper Liberty Cap trail. He had a strobe light and reflective gear that made it easier to spot him from the air. Rescuers reached him around 2 a.m. He was taken to the hospital by helicopter, where he's being treated for serious injuries sustained in the fall. Source: Joshua Vorse, KKCO News.
A man was killed on the morning of October 15th when his car went over the edge of Rim Rock Drive near the overlook at Cold Shivers Point and plunged 450 feet to the ground below. It took about five hours for an interagency SAR team to extract his body from the vehicle. Rim Rock Drive is a 23-mile-long scenic route that runs through the park between the mountain towns of Grand Junction and Fruita. The road is challenging, full of sheer drop-offs, steep hills, and tight curves. The cause of the crash is being investigated. Several law enforcement and rescue agencies assisted the NPS in recovery efforts, including the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Mesa County Search and Rescue technical ropes and communication teams, Colorado State Patrol, Grand Junction Fire Department, and Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department. Source: Breanna Sneeringer, OutThereColorado.com.
A body was found last Saturday morning in rough terrain beyond the Devil's Kitchen rock formation. It's believed to be that of J.F., 66, who has been missing since going for a hike at the location last week. A note left on J.F.' vehicle, which was parked at the Lower Serpents Trail parking lot, indicated plans for hiking in the park on Monday. A multi-day search and rescue operation, involving nearly 30 volunteers and a special drone equipped with thermal imaging and cameras, was conducted in the area after a close friend reported the hiker overdue. The search was suspended after a body matching J.F.'s description was discovered beyond the Devil's Kitchen rock formation. It's been turned over to the Mesa County Coroner's office for positive identification and determination of cause of death. Source: Breanna Sneeringer, Out There Colorado
A 41-year-old hiker was injured in a 30 foot fall in the park last week. He had to be rescued from the area known as No Thoroughfare Canyon on Monday. The man left on the hike with a friend from the upper trailhead. They got past the second waterfall and were in a rugged area when the man fell. His hiking partner tried to call for help on his phone but they couldn't get any service at that location. The partner had to hike for about 20 minutes to get enough of a signal to make the emergency call. It took rescue crews about three hours to get the injured man to a helicopter, which took him to the hospital at nightfall. Source: Jesse Sarles, KCNC News.
On December 5, about one mile from the west entrance on Rimrock Drive, a vehicle left the road, resulting in one fatality. The NPS is conducting an investigation. Source: KKCO
On December 8, FBI agents announced that a Florida resident has been arrested and charged with murder for a victim whose body was found near Terra Vista Cemetery on March 9. Investigators determined the victim had died several days before being found and had evidence of a gunshot to the head. Source: News 5 Cleveland
On April 30, a 67-year-old took a fall while climbing Independence Monument. Personnel from the NPS, Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Mesa County Search and Rescue, and Lower Valley Fire District responded to the incident. The climber passed away from injuries related to the fall and the incident is under investigation. Source: Colorado National Monument September 18, 2022 On September 12, a vehicle left Rim Rock Drive near Coke Ovens Overlook. Two 28-year-old individuals were in the vehicle. Staff from the NPS, Colorado State Patrol, Lower Valley Fire Department, Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Mesa County Sheriff's Technical Rescue Team, CareFlight, and the Mesa County Coroner responded. One was found deceased at the scene, and the other was transported to St. Mary's Hospital. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Source: Colorado National Monument
On June 10, a 54-year-old hiker collapsed and lost consciousness two miles up the Lower Monument Canyon Trail. Staff from the NPS, Lower Valley Fire, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Mesa County Search and Rescue responded to the scene. CPR was initiated, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. Classic Air, Mesa County Coroner's Office, and the Mesa County Sheriff's Office Victim Assistance Program also provided support. The Mesa County Coroner's Office will investigate the fatality and determine the cause of death. Source: Colorado National Monument
On August 26, a vehicle failed to navigate a curve on Rim Rock Drive and rolled down a 30-foot drop. Four individuals were in the car, and three were transferred to the hospital for treatment. Personnel from the NPS, Mesa County (CO) Sheriff's Office, Glade Park Fire Department, Grand Junction Fire Department, and Colorado State Patrol supported the incident. Source: Colorado National Monument | |